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Former state rep.'s sentence suspended

By BRENDAN CLOGSTONUnion Leader Correspondent

CONCORD - A Merrimack County Superior Court judge suspended Tony Soltani's sentence Tuesday morning, keeping the former state representative out of jail in the wake of misdemeanor convictions earlier this year for joining a police pursuit.

Judge Richard McNamara sentenced Soltani to 12 months in a house of corrections, which was suspended for two years, and $3,000 in fines, $2,000 of which has also been suspended for two years. The remaining $1,000 has been stayed, pending appeal.

Soltani was convicted in February on two misdemeanor charges - disorderly conduct and reckless conduct - for an April 2012 incident where he joined a police pursuit, at one point crossing over the double yellow line on Route 28, forcing oncoming traffic to take evasive action.

He was also charged with a felony reckless conduct charge, which the jury ultimately threw out, rejecting the prosecution's allegation that Soltani used his vehicle as a deadly weapon.

Soltani posted on Facebook in response to the judge's orders, thanking his friend and attorney at his firm, Steve Booth, who he said helped him with the sentencing.

"I am also grateful to all my friends who never withheld their support and prayers," Soltani's post continued. "I am truly a blessed man, I was and am never alone."